The first night of the Men’s Sweet 16 wrapped up Thursday. Which potential New York Knicks targets stepped up?
The New York Knicks, with Thursday’s blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors, have just seven games left on the 2018-19 schedule. Once that ends, the potentially chaotic offseason will start, with the 2019 NBA Draft kicking everything off in June.
As a final showcase for the draft, the 2019 Men’s NCAA Tournament has taken place since March 21. Cluttered with potential first-round prospects, NBA teams have been able to watch the next generation of talent play and stake their claim towards draft positioning.
Day One of the Sweet 16 transpired on Thursday, March 28, with four games, including Purdue’s victory over Tennessee in overtime.
Through these games, which potential draft prospects stepped up and helped their value? Let’s take a look:
Honorary Mention: Ryan Cline, Purdue
Slash Line: 10-for-13/7-for-10/0-for-0
Stat Line: 27 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal
Scour the internet, and Ryan Cline’s name will not appear on a big board, but that does not diminish the spectacular night — particularly in the second half — he had in Purdue’s Sweet 16 win over Tennessee.
Cline was unconscious shooting, with seven made three-pointers and seemingly no chance of missing down the stretch. This kept the Boilermakers afloat, including another outside shot with less than one minute left.
Playing a full season as a starter, the senior guard averaged 11.7 points on 40.6 percent shooting entering Thursday’s game.
RYAN CLINE IS NOT HUMAN pic.twitter.com/bzemdSGLHJ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 29, 2019
Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Slash Line: 8-for-22/5-for-14/8-for-14
Stat Line: 29 points, four rebounds, three assists
Carsen Edwards is a volume shooter. It builds his point total, but usually negatively impacts his field goal percentage. While not great for his NBA standing, it was enough in the first two rounds and against Tennessee in the Sweet 16.
Another 29 points from the potential second-round pick continued his run as Purdue’s leading man in this tournament. He hit the free throw line, made enough three-pointers and kept the ball moving in this victory.
Scoring ability alone should allow Edwards to land in the last 30 picks of the draft. If not, someone will give him a Summer League opportunity and even a two-way contract. He plays like Trey Burke, who stuck with the New York Knicks for 12 months.